SAS (Safe and Secure) began as an undergraduate thesis project with one clear goal: to close the gap between survivors of sexual abuse and the resources they urgently need. Built on in-depth user research, SAS brings together hotlines, legal aid, mental health support, emergency response tools, and peer networks, all in one intuitive, trauma-informed platform.
What started as a crisis-response tool has since evolved into a holistic empowerment companion. SAS recognizes that healing isn’t linear. From filing a police report or finding the nearest hospital, to journaling after a flashback or setting boundaries in everyday life, SAS offers real-world support, whether in a moment of crisis or the quiet work of long-term recovery.
Thoughtfully designed with cultural sensitivity, practical usability, and emotional care, SAS is more than just an app. It is a form of advocacy. It champions access, awareness, and autonomy, creating a safer, more informed digital space for women navigating the layered realities of safety, resilience, and healing in India.
Role: Researcher, UX/UI Designer, Visual Designer, Strategist
Tools: Figma, Illustrator, Adobe XD
Scope: UX research, app design, product strategy, branding
(Pitched to PES University for seed funding and was shortlisted in the final round for support.)
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The problem
User research
Primary research (100 participants)
Secondary research
The research explored existing systems, statistics, and survivor experiences to understand the landscape of support for victims of sexual violence in India.
Key insights include:
- 85% of sexual assaults go unreported (NCRB 2011), and only 1.5% of actual rape cases are reported, showing the magnitude of underreporting.
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Survivors often fear social stigma, victim-blaming, and a lack of institutional support.
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Marital rape remains legal due to Exception 2 of Section 375 IPC, leaving many women unprotected by law.
- India lacks a standard post-rape care protocol, trained forensic nurses, and consistent victim counseling procedures.
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98% of survivors face long-term mental health issues like PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and substance abuse.
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Rape trauma syndrome often includes an “underground phase” where survivors suppress the experience, sometimes for years.
- Emotional responses can vary from numbness and silence to intense fear, guilt, or rage, making personalized, trauma-informed care crucial.
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Government SOS apps like My Ambar and Easy Rescue exist, but many are poorly maintained, non-intuitive, or lack awareness.
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Apps like RAINN, Bright Sky, and Speak (UN) show global best practices: peer support rooms, live chat with counselors, and location-based resources.
- Indian apps often lack localized language support, customizable mental health tools, and secure, anonymous access.
Data analysis
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Resources and assistance on how to handle the situation are not available.
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Don't know who to believe and who to put our faith in.
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Don't have enough proof to proceed with legal action
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You feel better after speaking with a group of individuals who have experienced the same situation.
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Support groups and therapy are quite helpful.
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Afraid of being held responsible for the circumstance
- Concerned about other people's opinions
- 24/7 Resource Access – Legal, medical, mental health, and emergency support anytime.
- Live Safety Tracking – Share location and send SOS alerts.
- Safe Space – Share stories without fear or judgment.
- Peer Support – Community-led healing and encouragement.
- Legal Guidance – Help navigating the reporting process.
- Affordable Counseling – Mental health support on your terms.
- Verified Users – Privacy-first, bully-free environment.
- Daily Affirmations – Boost confidence and emotional strength.
- Visual Therapy – Calming tools to ease anxiety.
Designing a platform for sexual abuse victims to have access to resources and support in and how they prefer. Bridging the gap between existing resources and support by bringing them all under one umbrella. A platform that provides mental health exercises that will help the victim feel better and improve the healing process.
Final outcome